[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 115 (Wednesday, June 15, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34871-34872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14251]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Mobile Barcode Promotion

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising the Mailing Standards of the 
United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[reg]) 709.4 to 
add a temporary promotion for First-Class Mail[reg] cards, letters and 
flats, and Standard Mail[reg] letters and flats bearing two-dimensional 
mobile barcodes.

DATES: Effective Date: July 5, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Krista Becker at 202-268-7345 or 
[email protected]; or Bill Chatfield at 202-268-7278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 12, 2011, the Postal Service filed 
a notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission to temporarily reduce 
the prices for certain types of First-Class Mail and Standard Mail that 
contain, in or on the mailpiece, a two-dimensional mobile barcode 
readable by consumer smartphones. The Commission has completed its 
review.
    In this final rule, the Postal Service provides a description of 
the conditions for eligibility for the price reduction for the mobile 
barcode promotion, and the new mailing standards to implement the 
promotion. To be eligible, each mailpiece in the mailing (and listed on 
the postage statement) must have a qualifying two-dimensional mobile 
barcode on the outside of each piece or on the contents within each 
piece. The barcodes, when scanned, must be used for consumer 
interaction and be relevant to the contents of the mailpiece. The 
mobile barcodes must be used for marketing, promotional or educational 
purposes. They may not be used for internal corporate operational 
processes or for postage evidencing purposes. Barcodes that link 
consumers to sites that encourage enrollment to online bill paying or 
paperless statement services are not considered marketing, promotional 
or educational for the purposes of this initiative and are not eligible 
for the discount.
    A price reduction of three percent of the total postage cost for a 
mailing in which all mailpieces contain a two-dimensional mobile (also 
known as a ``QR'' barcode) barcode that is readable by consumer 
smartphones will apply to presort and automation mailings of First-
Class Mail cards, letters, and flats; and Standard Mail (including 
nonprofit) letters and flats. Commingled, co-mailed and combined 
mailings are allowed, but a separate postage statement is required for 
mailpieces with mobile barcodes. Eligible mailings must be accompanied 
by electronic documentation under existing mailing standards for 
submission of electronic documentation.
    Other than the full-service Intelligent Mail[reg] barcode discount, 
mailpieces are ineligible to receive any other incentive if claiming 
the mobile barcode promotion three percent discount.

Promotion Dates and More Information

    The Postal Service will implement the promotion and temporary price 
reduction effective for mailings made on July 1, 2011 through August 
31, 2011. Plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) mailings may be accepted 
at origin on or after June 26, 2011 for mail to be entered at a 
destination facility on or after July 1. PVDS shipments accepted no 
later than August 31 may be entered at destinations through September 
15, 2011. Program requirements, including updated FAQs, are available 
on the RIBBS[reg] Web site at https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=mobilebarcode or by e-mail to [email protected].
    The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, 39 CFR part 111 is amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 552(a); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 
3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633, and 5001.


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2. Revise the following sections of the Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM):
* * * * *

700 Special Standards

* * * * *

709 Experimental and Temporary Classifications

* * * * *
[Add new 4.0 as follows:]

[[Page 34872]]

4.0 Two-Dimensional Mobile Barcode Promotion

4.1 Program Description and Scope

    The two-dimensional mobile barcode promotion provides a three 
percent discount for presorted and automation mailings of First-Class 
Mail cards, letters, and flats and Standard Mail (including Nonprofit) 
letters and flats that include a two-dimensional mobile barcode when 
the mailpieces meet all the conditions in these standards. The 
promotion is valid for mailings entered from July 1, 2011 through 
August 31, 2011. Plant-verified drop shipment (PVDS) mailings meeting 
all relevant standards may qualify for participation in this promotion 
as follows:
    a. PVDS mailings may be accepted at origin as early as June 26, 
2011 if they are entered on or after July 1, 2011 at the destination.
    b. PVDS mailings may be accepted at origin as late as August 31, 
2011 if they are entered no later than September 15, 2011 at the 
destination.

4.2 Eligibility Standards

    To be eligible for the three percent discount, mailpieces must be 
mailed under the following conditions:
    a. A two-dimensional mobile barcode must be on each mailpiece, 
either on the outside or printed on the contents of the piece. One-
dimensional barcodes do not qualify.
    b. The barcode must be readable by a mobile smartphone with a two-
dimensional barcode reader application. The barcode must be used for 
marketing, promotional or educational purposes and be relevant to the 
contents of the mailpiece. Barcodes with links that direct consumers to 
sites that encourage enrollment to online bill paying or paperless 
statement services are not considered marketing, promotional or 
educational for the purposes of this initiative and are not eligible 
for the discount. Mailpieces with mobile barcodes that convey postage 
information, destination, sender or machinable serial number for 
security also are not eligible for the discount.
    c. The mailpieces with mobile barcodes must be one of the 
following:
    1. Presorted or automation First-Class Mail cards, letters, or 
flats.
    2. Standard Mail (including nonprofit) letters or flats.
    d. Postage must be paid with a permit imprint, and the postage 
statement and mailing documentation must be submitted electronically. 
All pieces on a postage statement must contain a mobile barcode that 
qualifies for the discount.
    e. Participating mailers must provide the acceptance unit with a 
sample of the mailpiece that contains a mobile barcode. Mailers must 
also retain, until October 31, 2011, a sample of each mailpiece 
claiming a discount.
    f. Other than a full-service Intelligent Mail discount (see 
705.23), no other incentives apply for mailpieces claiming a discount 
under this promotion.

4.3 Discount

    Mailers must claim the three percent postage discount on the 
postage statement at the time the statement is electronically 
submitted. The electronic equivalent of the mailer's signature on the 
postage statement will certify that each mailpiece claimed on the 
postage statement contains a qualifying two-dimensional mobile barcode.
* * * * *
    We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to 
reflect these changes.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2011-14251 Filed 6-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P